The Punjab Police has taken into custody a 40-year-old resident of Moga district, sparking a controversy after the arrest was made based on a photograph he had uploaded on Facebook. The police allege the image promotes gun culture, a claim vehemently denied by the accused's family, who insist the weapon in the picture was merely a toy.
The Arrest and Police Case
The accused has been identified as Pritpal Singh, a welder by profession from Chuhar Chack village. According to the investigating officer, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Mohkam Singh from the Ajitwal police station, the action was initiated based on specific information received by the force. A formal case has been registered under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant sections of the Arms Act.
"We are in the process of verifying whether Pritpal Singh actually owns the firearm seen in the photograph," stated ASI Mohkam Singh. He confirmed that the accused would be presented before a court and that the police would thoroughly investigate all claims surrounding the incident.
Family's Defence: A Pilgrimage Moment with a Toy
In a sharp rebuttal to the police's allegations, Pritpal Singh's wife, Kirandeep Kaur, provided a detailed account of the photograph's origin. She explained that the picture was not a recent upload but was taken approximately two years ago during a family visit to the holy town of Sri Anandpur Sahib.
"He saw a toy gun at a stall, picked it up for a fun picture, and put it back immediately. He did not purchase it because it was costly. My husband does not own any gun, be it a toy or a real one," Kaur told The Indian Express. She described her family as hard-working and poor, struggling to comprehend the legal action against their sole breadwinner.
Emphasising her husband's character, Kaur added, "He has not committed any crime. He is known in the village as a decent man who even volunteered his welding skills to help build a shed at the local government school." The couple has two children who study in a government school.
Broader Context and Implications
This incident highlights the heightened vigilance and strict interpretation of laws concerning the depiction of firearms on social media platforms in Punjab. The state has been grappling with concerns over gun culture and violence, leading to stringent enforcement actions.
The case now hinges on the police verification process to determine the nature of the weapon in the photograph. The outcome will significantly impact Pritpal Singh, a welder whose livelihood is currently suspended due to his arrest. It also raises questions about the balance between enforcing public safety laws and the context of individual actions, especially when they involve images from the past shared on personal social media accounts.
The family awaits the investigation's findings, hoping for a swift resolution that will allow Pritpal Singh to return to his work and family.
